Golden boots Jonny Wilkinson is about to insure his famous left foot for a staggering #10m.

The Newcastle Falcons ace now rivals David Beckham in the popularity stakes following his heroic exploits in Sydney when his last-minute kick clinched the World Cup victory over the Aussies.

The 24-year-old fly-half was valued at around #1m by the European Sports Consortium, the underwriters who specialise in covering professional athletes. But insiders believe that figure will rocket to around #10m.

Jonny is following in the footsteps of other stars who have insured their most famous assets.

Riverdance creator Michael Flatley insured his legs for #25m and pop and film star Jennifer Lopez has insured her backside for #600,000.

Page Three model Sam Fox had her sizable assets insured for #1m in the 1980s, and back in the 1940s pin-up Betty Grable insured her famous legs for $1m.

Before he drop-kicked his way to super stardom, Jonny was already in demand and starred in a high-profile series of adverts with David Beckham. But following the Webb Ellis Cup triumph his earning potential has soared with companies clamouring to invest in Jonny mania.

Earlier this month he was awarded an MBE by the Queen and picked up the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Sportswear giant Adidas has doubled his contract to #2m for four years and he has also re-negotiated deals with Lucozade, Mercedes Benz, Lloyds TSB and clothes-firm Hackett.

The cash from his deals overshadow the #200,000 a year wages with his Kingston Park club, which are capped.

A source in the City of London said: "Underwriters can get a very good idea of his earning capability going forward from the prices achieved in the renegotiating of two of his sponsorship contracts. If advertising contracts are even more lucrative than we thought, the policy can be revised again. With the potential and profile Jonny has now he's up to the #10m mark."

Jonny's insurance broker said he could not comment directly on his client but said that as an athlete's star rises, so too should their safeguard against injury.